Turkish court orders block of T24 website and social media over alleged LGBTI+ propaganda
Istanbul’s 1st Penal Judgeship of Peace ordered the access block of independent outlet T24’s website and its social‑media profiles, labeling 118 recent columns as “LGBTI+ propaganda.” The court also required each flagged article to be removed, and the site was disabled a few hours after the ruling, though its X account remains reachable in Turkey. The decision follows a nationwide “Family is Safe” operation that began with police raids in 15 provinces, resulting in 82 formal arrests of LGBTI+ activists, including board member Nedime Erdoğan of Kaos GL.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced charges against 162 people, nine NGOs and 13 businesses, while the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor reported 38 suspects in 12 provinces. The crackdown has also led to internet bans on dozens of LGBTI+ association sites.
How this was covered
- Right-leaning outlets covered this 53h later
- Left-leaning coverage is the most divided on this story
Why it matters
The actions illustrate a tightening of government control over independent media and LGBTI+ expression in Turkey.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage emphasizes the shutdown as part of an authoritarian crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights and independent media, while right-leaning coverage presents the action as a legal response to alleged “LGBT propaganda” and notes external criticism without condemning the government.
LEFT
Frames the closure as a repressive move against LGBTQ+ activists and independent journalism, highlighting the “My Family Is Safe” operation as a crackdown.
CENTER
Frames the event as a government-ordered block of T24 for alleged “LGBT propaganda,” noting journalists’ criticism and the broader crackdown context.
RIGHT
Frames the shutdown as a lawful measure against “LGBT propaganda,” mentioning the Justice Ministry’s justification and citing rights groups’ criticism as a side note.
The left emphasises
- the decision is part of the "My Family Is Safe" operation targeting LGBTQ+ groups
- authorities label 118 items as "LGBT propaganda" to justify the block
- the move is described as an escalation in a crackdown on independent media
The right emphasises
- the court ordered the shutdown citing 118 pieces deemed "LGBT propaganda"
- the Justice Ministry forwarded the decision to the Cyber Security Presidency
- rights groups and European officials are quoted as criticizing the measures
How this story developed
- Sep 28 Turkey’s ‘Family is Safe’ raids detain dozens of LGBTI+ activists, including Nedime Erdoğan
- Oct 2 A court order blocked T24’s website and social‑media profiles.
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